World Politics in the Countryside
Will the Republicans send Trump or Haley into the race for the US presidency? The answer largely depends on what happens in New Hampshire today: a duel that has the entire state captivated.
On the last day of campaigning before the US primaries in New Hampshire, Nikki Haley travels from event to event. She takes selfies, pours beer at the restaurant where she appears, and shakes hands. These could have been her final attempts to prevent Donald Trump from becoming the party’s front-runner.
However, Haley now finally has the duel she has long desired. With Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ending his campaign, only she and Trump remain. According to Haley’s campaign spokesperson, at least half a million dollars in donations have come in since then.
More Haley Supporters Than Expected
The intensification of the campaign is also felt in the small town of Franklin. Alongside dozens of camera crews, more supporters than expected have come to a Haley event.
“We were prepared for a small event – and now we hardly have any space left,” says co-organizer Chuck Berube. The retiree is wearing the blue shirt of an organization that advocates for US war veterans. If it weren’t for January 6, 2021, and the storming of the Capitol, he would still be voting for Trump today. Chuck sees it this way: whoever is defeated in the election campaign humbly makes way for the next person, the opposite of Trump’s reaction to President Joe Biden’s election victory.
Biden’s name is mentioned more frequently in New Hampshire, even though he is not even on the Democratic Party’s ballot due to an intra-party dispute. However, his renomination is almost certain.
“The Most Important Primary in History”
Orde Kittrie, along with his son Ari and daughter Gabby, traveled from Maryland to New Hampshire. Eight hours, just to support Nikki Haley. Their own primaries are not until May. However, today could already see a kind of pre-decision: For Orde, this is like the Super Bowl, but in politics.
“I have the impression that this is the most important primary in American history. Because it will determine whether Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the presidential election. A very momentous decision that people here have to make,” he says.
Haley Trails Trump in Polls
So far, the support has not helped Haley much. In the polls, she is behind Trump. Far enough for him to not attend some campaign events in New Hampshire himself.
Instead, he sends his son: Trump Jr. is celebrated at an appearance in the small town of Hollis as if he were his father. He believes that the support is even greater this time than in previous years: “I’m not even a candidate yet and I’m still received like this here. It surpasses everything we’ve experienced in the past years,” he says. And: “People have had enough and will vote accordingly.”
Trump Hats, Trump Scarves, Trump Signs
There are no dissenting voices at his appearance in Hollis. Many of the people here wear Trump hats, scarves, or signs. Lisa Bresciano has also brought a coffee mug with his face on it.
She says she is a big Trump supporter. “Since 2016, I have attended every campaign event here in the area.” She will be one of the many who vote for Trump today in New Hampshire.